🤗 Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)

A cheerful, funny story about personal boundaries, consent, and discovering that there’s more than one way to show someone you care.

Why I chose it

I chose this one because every child should know that their body belongs to them—and that it's okay to say no to a hug.

Doug doesn't like hugs. They're too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, and too smooshy! He doesn't want hello hugs, goodbye hugs, or even birthday hugs. But Doug does love high fives, low fives, side fives, and plenty of other ways to connect.

With a warm sense of humour and a wonderfully reassuring message, this book shows children that everyone has different boundaries. An ALA Notable Children's Book and a Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, Don't Hug Doug offers a joyful, age-appropriate introduction to consent and the importance of asking before touching someone.

Why you'll love it

• 💛 Introduces consent and bodily autonomy in a child-friendly way

• 🤗 Shows that it's okay not to want a hug

• 🙌 Explores fun alternatives, from high fives to side fives

• 😄 Uses humour and repetition to make the message memorable

• 💬 Encourages conversations about boundaries and respecting others

• 🌈 Reassures children that saying no doesn't mean rejecting someone

• ⭐ An award-recognised book with a meaningful message

Perfect for: Ages 3–7 · Big Feelings · Consent · Personal boundaries · Friendship · Social-emotional learning · Gifting

32 pages · English · Carrie Finison (author) · Daniel Wiseman (illustrator) · G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

✨ Part of our Big Feelings collection — books to spark conversation, laughter, wonder and connection.